Chapter Six
Rulings Specific to Women in the Laws of Funerals

Allah has ordained death for every soul, while everlasting life belongs solely to Him. He, the Exalted, says: “And there remains the Face of your Lord, Possessor of Majesty and Honor” (al-Rahman 55:27). (1)

He has further legislated particular rulings for the funerals of the children of Adam that the living must carry out. In this chapter we will mention those rulings that apply exclusively to women, including the following:

1 – A deceased woman must be washed by women; men may not wash her except her husband, for he is permitted to wash his wife. Similarly, a deceased man is to be washed by men, and women may not wash him except his wife, for she is permitted to wash her husband. The precedent is that ʿAlī—may Allah be pleased with him—washed his wife, Fāṭimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and Asmāʾ bint ʿUmays—may Allah be pleased with her—washed her husband, Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq—may Allah be pleased with him.

2 – It is recommended that a woman be shrouded in five white garments: a waist-wrapper to cover her lower body, a head-scarf, a tunic, and two additional sheets that are wrapped over all of these.